Artesia News

Residents share fond memories of Artesia

"One of the most memorable experiences for me was the night we moved the museum. I had a horse-drawn omnibus leading the move, and it was in the wee hours of the morning," said Larry. Nelson, former mayor and current councilmember for the City.

Nelson was reminiscing about a significant event in the City's history - the beginning of the Artesia Historical Museum. The museum is actually a Spanish style house that was built in 1929 and used to be owned by a former resident named Wayne Dantema. Dantema moved and the house was bought out along with adjacent property by A.J. Dudheker, in order to make the beautiful building known as the Westar Building on Pioneer Blvd.

Dudheker donated the house to the Artesia Historical Society, and the City h ad land located at 18644 Alburtis. The tricky part was moving a house from 17918 Pioneer Blvd. to the address on Alburtis.

While the house movers were doing the job, a large group of Artesians helped out in the effort, even in the wee hours of the morning.

Nelson recalled that the Artesia Bakery was doing what they do best (baking!) and that the bakers came out with a bunch of goodies for the odd caravan of people, and one house, as it passed by.

Victor Manalo, another councilmember and long-time Artesian, also recounted the experience, calling it "unique".

"I remember waking up our children in the middle of the night to walk down to Pioneer Boulevard."

Manalo said that as the procession moved, he felt a sense of community that he had not felt in a long time.

"We were all participating in a special parade that would unite us in celebrating the past, present, and future of Artesia," said Manalo. "We will never forget that we participated in a very special chapter of Artesia's history!"